EXPERIENCED MICHIGAN FAMILY LAW OFFICE
WE CAN HELP YOU MEET YOUR FAMILY LAW GOALS
DIVISION OF PROPERTY IN MICHIGAN
In a Michigan divorce, the parties involved in a divorce are generally each awarded half of the assets and half of the debts that accrued during the marriage. There are many exceptions to this general statement, including exceptions regarding non-marital property, inheritance, and property owned prior to the marriage. Another exception to this general statement is the issue of fault. In a Michigan divorce, the issue of fault in the breakdown of the marriage may cause a court to award more of the assets to one party. Due to these exceptions, and some others, you will need to discuss the particulars in your specific case with a Michigan divorce attorney to determine what your potential settlement may be.
In a Michigan divorce, the parties to a divorce usually settle their property rights after negotiation. Negotiations may be done between the spouses themselves, with the assistance or their attorneys, or with the assistance of their attorneys and a neutral third party mediator. If the parties come to an agreement as to how to divide their property, they must be absolutely sure that they understand and agree to the settlement, because in Michigan, once the judgment of divorce is entered, the property settlement may not be modified, except in cases of fraud or clerical error.
If a settlement cannot be reached, the matter will be decided at binding arbitration or by the Court after a trial. In determining property issues at arbitration or trial, a Michigan Family Court Judge will usually consider the following:
- Length of the marriage
- Contributions of the parties to the marital estate
- Age of the parties
- Health of the parties
- Life status of the parties
- Necessities and circumstances of the parties
- Earning abilities of the parties
- Past relations and conduct of the parties
- General principles of equity
LET US HELP YOU
The information contained on this page is not intended to be legal advice, and is only a brief overview of this area of Michigan divorce law. If you have any questions regarding your divorce matter, contact us today. A seasoned Michigan divorce and family law lawyer will discuss with you, your legal needs and provide you with information to protect you and your children for years to come.
THERE IS NO CHARGE
FOR YOUR INITIAL PHONE CONSULTATION.
Representing divorce and family law clients
in Oakland County, Wayne County and Macomb County.
ATTORNEY ELLEN PAYNTER West Bloomfield Main Office Troy Satellite Office Telephone: 248/851-7555 | OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday |
Macomb County
| Oakland County
| Wayne County
|
****The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.****
DISCLAIMER: Information found on this site, and its use by a user, does not create an attorney-client relationship between the attorney who provided this site and the user. The provision of these resources in no way constitutes an endorsement by the attorney who provided this site of the services provided by these outside resources. The attorney who provided this site does not maintain the external web sites accessed through external links, and therefore the attorney who provided this site assume no responsibility for their contents. The provision of a link by the attorney who provided this site does not constitute any endorsement of the other site, its sponsor or its contents. This site does not provide legal advice. Users of this site should always seek the advice of counsel in their own jurisdiction.
Copyright © 2010 by Ellen Paynter. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.